The debate also included the launch of a competition to engage more closely with the industry’s millennials*, who will make up 75% of the workforce by 2025**. The competition has been launched in partnership with Emirates airlines who are offering return flights to the 2018 ICCA Congress in Dubai, registration for which will be provided by the UK & Ireland Chapter.

To win the prize, which is worth more than £1,500, millennials working for UK & Ireland based ICCA members, who have not previously attended the ICCA Congress, need to submit a 500-word letter to their future self on what they think they will achieve in the next year based on their attendance at the congress. The letter should be accompanied by a link to an online two-minute video presentation. Entries should be sent to Laura Tully at Manchester Central via l.tully@manchestercentral.co.uk by 27th April, 2018.

“The debate was a true success and I want to say a huge thank you to Belfast, who were such incredible hosts,” comments Diane Waldron, acting chair of the ICCA UK & Ireland Chapter. “The city welcomed us and put on a real show, the speakers were insightful and engaging but most importantly it was great to see our members gathering together, sharing best practice and knowledge for the benefit of all.”

Shelley Spencer, from the Scottish Event Campus, said: “The speakers have been really relevant across a wide range of key topics. It has been great seeing successful case studies from other organisations, which have delivered measurable strategies that have truly achieved their goals. There has been a real vitality to the event, driven by a superb moderator and great audience participation.”

Laurie Scott, from VisitBelfast, added: “Belfast has had such a great time hosting ICCA over the last two days. The city has gone from strength to strength and it has been a real pleasure to show off our offering to such a great audience. I want to thank our partners for their support in making the event a real success, particularly Belfast Waterfront and Crumlin Road Gaol.”